Pope Francis Calls Out the Church’s Past and Braces for Youth Engagement
During a whopping 50‑page Apostolic Exhortation, 82‑year‑old Pope Francis delivered a candid talk on the Catholic Church’s long‑standing mess with abuse scandals and the centuries of male domination that still echo in today’s problems. He warned that if the Church doesn’t clean up its act and reconnect with the younger crowd, it risks becoming “a museum”.
What the Exhortation Stated
- Admitting the Hard Truths: The Church has a history of male authoritarianism, sexist violence, and abuse. “A living Church can look back on history and acknowledge a fair share of male authoritarianism,” Francis said.
- Apology and Accountability: Clergy sexual abuse was called a “tragedy”. He urged young people to work with the honestly devoted majority of priests who are still faithful to their vocation.
- Call to “Respect Women’s Rights”: The Pope highlighted the need for reciprocity between men and women while acknowledging that he can’t agree with every feminist demand, notably the push for a female priesthood.
- Re‑building Trust: The Church must win back the youth who see it as irrelevant. “A Church always on the defensive… loses its humility and turns into a museum.”
Mixing Humor with Hard Facts
Francis admitted that the Church may have too much “clergy‑heavy” baggage. He said:
“The accusations of sexual abuse and financial scandals are serious, and those who’ve gone through it feel the Church is a nuisance.”
“We need to explain our doctrine better and let young people ask questions.”
He responded to the lack of strong female figures in the Vatican, saying that while he will listen to women seeking justice, the Church still has a limited number of women in authority.
The Gender Angle
While some feminist groups want a female priesthood, the Church has always pointed to the apostolic tradition of men. The Pope didn’t directly address women’s proposals to vote at future synods, leaving their voices on the sidelines.
Vatican Side‑Effects
- Vatican Newspaper Shake‑Up: The all‑female staff of the Vatican’s monthly women’s issue resigned, accusing their new editor of placing them “under direct male control.”
- New Stories on Abuse: A recent magazine feature delved into sexual abuse of nuns by priests. The editor has denied these allegations, but the piece sparked controversy.
Bottom Line for the Young
In short, Pope Francis is putting a big, earnest hand on the broad shoulders of the Church’s present and future. He wants the Church to look honest, speak plainly, and let young people develop trust by showing that the Church is ready to learn, laugh at its mistakes, and be a little more inclusive.
